Former Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft travelling to join eastern conference team

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Liam McCormick
July 14, 2024 (1:55 PM)

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According to Aaron Portzline of the Athletic, Jay Woodcroft is among three other candidates travelling to Columbus to interview for the head coach job this week.

Other than Jay Woodcroft, only former Wild coach Dean Evason is said to be contending for the job in Columbus. Another former Oilers coach Todd McLellan was in the running for the position as well, but complications of his contract with the Los Angeles Kings took him out of the running.

Woodcroft was coach of the Oilers for just over 1.5 seasons, but left a strong impression with his time in Edmonton. He coached the team to an impressive record of 79-41-13, but was done in by a horrendous 2-9-1 stretch at the beginning of last season - arguably, Jack Campbell and Stuart Skinner's awful play cost Woodcroft his job this year. Since then, he's even admitted that he doesn't watch the Oilers anymore.

However highly fans thought of Woodcroft, new coach Kris Knoblauch blew expectations out of the water. His calm demeanour and bold lineup decisions guided the Oilers to the Cup Final in his first year as a coach, and Knoblauch will only continue to improve as well. Still, Oilers fans will wish Woodcroft success wherever he ends up next.

Source: Aaron Portzline

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